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A Year by the Sea: Thoughts of an Unfinished Woman
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In Stock
Price:
$13.95
$3.40*
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| Part No: | 0767905938 |
| Manufacturer: | Broadway |
| MFG Part: | |
| Customer Rating: | 4.0 / 5.0 |
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- ISBN13: 9780767905930
- Condition: NEW
- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
Now available in paperback, the entrancing story of how one woman's journey of self-discovery gave her the courage to persevere in re-creating her life.
Life is a work in progress, as ever-changing as a sandy shoreline along the beach. During the years Joan Anderson was a loving wife and supportive mother, she had slowly and unconsciously replaced her own dreams with the needs of her family. With her sons grown, however, she realized that the family no longer centered on the home she provided, and her relationship with her husband had become stagnant. Like many women in her situation, Joan realized that she had neglected to nurture herself and, worse, to envision fulfilling goals for her future. As her husband received a wonderful job opportunity out-of-state, it seemed that the best part of her own life was finished. Shocking both of them, she refused to follow him to his new job and decided to retreat to a family cottage on Cape Cod.
At first casting about for direction, Joan soon began to take plea-sure in her surroundings and call on resources she didn't realize she had. Over the course of a year, she gradually discovered that her life as an "unfinished woman" was full of possibilities. Out of that magical, difficult, transformative year came
A Year by the Sea, a record of her experiences and a treasury of wisdom for readers.
This year of self-discovery brought about extraordinary changes in the author's life. The steps that Joan took to revitalize herself and rediscover her potential have helped thousands of woman reveal and release untapped resources within themselves.
| someone who shares my own thoughts | 2009-10-31 | 5 / 5 |
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This is the only book I have read three times. I was so excited when I found and some more of Joan Anderson's books, as I hadn't been able to buy these in Australia.
This book is for any woman, who has been a daughter, girlfriend, wife, mother, and hasn't had a lot of time for themselves. It makes you think, and it makes you long for solitude, and if you cant get it, value any time you can grab alone. |
| Decidedly overwritten and self-centered | 2009-10-12 | 2 / 5 |
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I would not say that I didn't enjoy reading this book, only that I came away from it with thoughts almost the opposite of what I would have expected. I am nearing 50 myself, and having raised a large family, I am interested in books that offer ideas for what happens next. I also find the idea of some time away from the busyness of my household very appealing. I am completely on board with the idea that a woman (or a man for that matter) needs to re-evaluate and even re-invent themselves at this point in life.
The author has a ridiculously overwrought style- several other reviewers have mentioned that nearly every paragraph contains a metaphor meant to be extremely deep, but which is in reality an attempt to imbue the most mundane of thoughts with cosmic metaphysical import. I found upsetting the complete lack of respect and compassion that she has for her husband of many years- and while she keeps claiming that she has been a devoted and self sacrificing wife and mother, it is her obsession with her own thoughts and feelings that comes across most clearly. You get a more than a glimpse of her true character, and I pity her daughters-in -law- her desire to control and know the details of her sons' lives is disturbing.
Most disturbing to me was the older woman- Joan Erickson- who miraculously appears in her life in this semi- deserted seaside town. The woman may be another metaphor, this time for a wiser and more mature Joan Anderson, but I believe she is supposed to be a tangible person, and as such is very unbelievable. Pearls of wisdom fairly drip every time she opens her mouth- most of them as shallow and forced as the rest of the dialogue in the book. As a fiber artist I have to say that the dialogue between them when she teaches Joan to weave is ludicrous- another overused metaphor of the threads being the threads of one's life. Please. Sometimes thread is just... thread.
I came away from the book still longing for my own year (or month) by the sea, with a few insights, but mostly the feeling that I'm glad I'm nothing like the author, and very thankful for my husband, who, like the author's husband, is a really decent guy. |
| Thought provoking... | 2009-09-27 | 5 / 5 |
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| Perhaps because I was going through 'that time' of my life as well, I found this story very inspiring. As women, we are often times judged when we take time out for ourselves. But that is what Joan did, and she found out lots of things about herself, that she wouldn't have realized any other way. Would recommend (to women reaching 'middle' age). |
| Great book for women | 2009-08-22 | 5 / 5 |
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Loved the book, and would recommend it to all women, but particularly empty-nesters. Gives real insight to this time in our lives. I also enjoyed learning more about the author, and her retreats.
I have ordered 3 other books written by Joan Anderson; I"m looking forward to reading them. |
| Wonderful Book | 2009-07-26 | 5 / 5 |
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| I cannot begin to describe how much I loved this book. Once I started reading, I couldn't put it down. When I finished, I ordered all of the authors other books. And they were just as wonderful. |
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